The Yellow Grass Wheat Kings find themselves back 2-0 in the Big Six best-of-seven final, after a 6-5 loss to the Wawota Flyers Monday night. The Flyers jumped out to an early lead, scoring four times in the first half of the first period, and the Wheat Kings were left to try to catch up.

Drake Bodie opened the scoring for the Flyers just six seconds into the game, assisted by Kevin Lincoln, and the early floodgates opened. Just before the four minute mark, Riley Riddell scored, set up by Ryan Taylor and Andrew Sillers. Taylor Ernst followed that up with a goal assisted by Dylan Lamontagne, and the early scoring was rounded out by Lamontagne, assisted by Taylor and Bodie.

Yellow Grass rallied with just over five minutes left on the clock, as Brock Appleyard scored his first of the game, with Zach Watson and Brendon Vertefeuille assisting. The four goal margin would be restored by the Flyers before the end of the opening frame, though, as Bodie scored his second of the game, with Lincoln and Rob West getting credited for the assists.

Yellow Grass would pull within three in the early part of the second period, as Vertefeuille scored one of his own, with Appleyard and Corey Koski credited for the assists. The margin would open up again at the halfway mark of the period, though, when Bodie finished his hat trick, with Lincoln and Warren Hunter assisting.

The Wheat Kings wouldn’t be deterred, though, and began to push back for a comeback. Mike Onstad scored before the end of the second, with Matt Dreis and Troy Miller setting up the goal. In the third, Yellow Grass continued to push, looking to make up the three goals. Guillaume Blouin stood tall in the Wawota net, though, as it wouldn’t be until late in the period until the Wheat Kings would score again.

With just 1:10 on the clock, Appleyard scored his second of the game, assisted by Justin Richter. Down by just two, Yellow Grass continued to push, and Appleyard would score his third of the game with just seven seconds remaining. The clock would expire before the comeback could be completed, though, and the Flyers took a 2-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

The power play was strong for the Wheat Kings, as they scored four goals in seven opportunities for the night. Blouin would be the biggest difference maker in the game, though. He made a number of big saves taking away numerous scoring opportunities from the Wheat Kings in the late stages of the game.

The series now returns to Wawota Friday for game three. The puck will drop at 8:00 p.m.